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Siwal Si’wes (Our Forefathers’ Teachings)
Aboriginal Education

Mission Public Schools has long been part of Aboriginal education initiatives in British Columbia. Beginning in 1985, staff was hired to work with Aboriginal students in the district. In 1989, meetings with the Aboriginal communities regarding Aboriginal Education brought about the creation of the Siwal Si’wes Advisory Committee. Since these early beginnings, Aboriginal Education has grown steadily with the introduction of targeted funding during the 1994/1995 school year. The number of self-identified Aboriginal student population has grown to 850 students. Our children are well represented by a number of Aboriginal groups from across Canada. Even though the Mission school district lies within Stó:lo Territory (Leq’á: mel, Kwantlen, Matsqui, and Scowlitz First Nations), many children and families have made Mission their home historically because of St. Mary’s Residential school and the legacy it has left in Mission. Many generations of families attended St. Mary’s and were still in attendance when its doors closed in 1984.

The Aboriginal Education Department, keeping with Stó:lo tradition, was given a name by Stó:lo elder (Gwen Point), “Siwal Si’wes (Our forefathers’ teachings)”. This name reminds us in our work that our children need to know who they are before they can walk forward with pride and we honour each child’s past that they bring to our schools on a daily basis. The logo reflecting our name was designed by Roy Hanuse (Namgiis). Siwal Si’wes has an Advisory Committee that is a large active group made up of a diverse group of elders, parents, grandparents, Community Agencies, School District Staff and Trustees. They are an integral part of the department and strive to enhance our students’ educational experiences.

 

Vision 2020

As the school district moves into a new phase to better prepare students for 21st century learning, there have been a number of changes coming over the next 3 years to help position students to be more successful. See MPSD for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This page was last modified on April 11, 2010

Contact Us:

Aboriginal Education
École Mission Central
7466 Welton Street
Mission, BC, Canada
V2V 6L4

Tel: 604 826 3103

Principal

Colleen Hannah

Vice Principal

Karen Greaux

Aboriginal Culture & Liaison Coordinator

Erica Jurgens

Secretary

Marcy Buell

Copyright © 2010 Mission School District No. 75 / All Rights Reserved